video

[neededlassie]

[The screen flickers on to show a boy who looks like he’s a little bit in a fog. Behind him, a Buizel bounces around happily through the snowdrifts, nearly disappearing only to poke her head up every now and then, her whiskers and fur caked with snow.]

Hello? Is anyone out there? My name is Shaun Mars. There was this lady who called herself my mom, and she gave me a backpack full of food and clothes and stuff, and I sorta...just wanted to know if that had happened to anyone else. And also, if the food was...safe to eat. It’s like rice, and I think there’s fish and vegetables and stuff too, or something.

I think I might've gotten someone else's Pokegear thing. It says it's my birthday today, but my birthday was two days ago.

Comments

[video]

[neededlassie]

[Shaun draws a deep, shuddering breath at that, and swallows.]

I-I know. He'd never hurt me. I know it wasn't him. The police apologized to me and my mom, after they found out Dad was innocent...

But that doesn't change anything. He's still dead.

[Shaun's expression is defiant and angry, daring Norman to try and justify the police gunning down an innocent man in front of the son he'd been willing to give his life to save.]

[video]

[triptoprofiling]

I know.

[And leaves it at that. There is nothing tangible in this world to compensate from what apparently happened.]

We can talk about this later. Let's get you over to the next town, alright?

[video]

[neededlassie]

...Okay.

[A mittened hand wipes trails of wetness off of Shaun's cheeks, which are already red from the cold.]

Where are you, Norman?

[video]

[triptoprofiling]

Violet City. Just right next door from Cherrygrove.

[Okay maybe they're not right next door to each other but this is the one exception where he will spare Shaun the details. Seriously, a whole week of hiking? You gotta be fuckin' kiddin' me...]

All you have to do is follow the trail. Don't wander anywhere else. It'll be a lot easier for you if you can find a buddy to go with. Is there anyone else nearby?

[video]

[neededlassie]

...Will you stay there until I get there?

[Norman you're the only tie he has to his home and his dad right now don't go running off into the wilderness YOU ARE THE ONLY PERSON HE'LL VOLUNTARILY TRAVEL WITH.]

Nnnn. I guess... Maybe.

[He wants to go alone. He wants his mom. He wants his dad.]

[video]

[triptoprofiling]

I'm not going anywhere.

[Nahman ain't going enehwhere, Shaon. Count on it.]

It's just for a couple of nights. After that, you can hang tight in Cherrygrove until I get there. I'll fly over there.

[video]

[neededlassie]

[That small assurance gets a shy smile from the boy.

He resolutely tries not to think of how that was practically the last words he ever heard from his dad.]

How long will I have to wait?

[He wants to put space between him and not-Mom.]

[video]

[triptoprofiling]

Just a few hours tops. All you have to do is tell me when you're there.

[video]

[neededlassie]

Oh, okay.

[You've earned his tiny little trusts, Norman, don't give him a reason to doubt you.]